Most potted exotics must be brought to winter quarters before the first night frosts.More hardy plants, such as oleander, laurel and wireworm, can stay outdoors a little longer.
Hibiscus, Chinese rose, bougainvillea or plumeria (frangipani) can freeze at temperatures below 8 ° C. Frost damage is easy to recognize - misshapen brown or black spots appear on the leaves.Often, which cannot be seen, the roots are also infected.Then the plants need to be removed from the pot and, after removing the diseased roots, transplant into smaller containers.
Before moving the plants to the quarters, it is necessary to check that they are not attacked by pests. We can pick up snails and caterpillars by hand, and scavenge the ants with a water bath. We fight scales and spider mites with specialized means of protection.
Throughout the wintering period, the soil in the pots should be kept at constant humidity; plants cannot be dried or flooded (bougainvillea are especially sensitive to excess water)Cutting is generally not required, unless the plants do not fit in the quarters. In other cases, it is better to cut only from spring.
We have not supplied power since September. In the quarters, many plants begin to shed leaves. This is not a symptom of a disease, but a way to adapt to worse lighting conditions. This is how they behave, among others hibiscus and lantana.Temperature is of fundamental importance, but not the temperature of the air, but of the ground. Ideally, the pot thermometer should show above 12 ° C.
